October 14, 2024
The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 7 – Cuyuni-Mazaruni was questioned today by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding the occupancy of government quarters and outstanding rent payments.
The inquiry stems from the Auditor General’s 2019 report, which highlighted issues surrounding breaches of regulations related to the occupancy of government housing. Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kerwin Ward confirmed that the situation is being addressed, noting that an assessment to determine which occupants are entitled to rent-free accommodations is ongoing. However, the PAC raised concerns about the lack of critical information, such as when individuals moved in or whether they were paying rent.
Ward explained that while there is a register of government quarter occupants, it does not include these details, which was deemed unacceptable by the PAC. The committee demanded that the Regional Democratic Council provide a comprehensive list of occupants who are not paying rent, those not from the region, and a plan of action to address the issue within two weeks.
In Region 7, there are approximately 110 government living quarters. According to Public Service laws, residents should pay rent at 10% of their salaries for unfurnished accommodations and 12% for furnished ones.